We saw miles of windswept Manuka filling the valleys and huddling together on the exposed cliffs in clumps. If you ever  get the opportunity to peer over the Department of Conservation platform near Te Toto - do. I was there on such an awesome day and it took my breath away.

The Washingtonia I planted 30 years ago is no more, cut down, shredded up and the stump ground away. I had planted it on the edge of the eaves and it was too close to the house. Disturbing the lie of the land, dropping fronds in storms, lifting the fence and moving it south. Sad that I will not hear the summer breeze in its leaves again, or look up into the leaves and see the bright blue of the sky.

It is the time of year for toitoi. North of the Waikato heads, there are rolling sandy hills covered with Pine forrest interspersed with clearings filled with toitoi. Such a variety of lime greens and pinks as the feathers unfurl against the dark green backdrop. I must go there again. These are growing in Bombay.

There were banks of these flowers growing maybe 10 feet deep and back from the road, obviously taking advantage of the freedom to multiply. They were only on one side of the road here and went continuously for several 100 yards along the roadside.

We went for a drive up Hill View Road in Bombay, I can't remember ever going up there before. It must be the ideal time of year for the wild flowers, I kept saying oh wow! This is a traditional view over a gate with the Waitakeres and Manukau Harbour in the distance

Unexpected. Driving round the corner we had to quickly pull over onto the verge so I could get out and take a photo of this field. My driver was up to it even though I had said I wouldn't want to stop in this area. Summer. Crop rotation and enrichment.

The countryside roads are ribboned with wildflowers, from delicate pinks and whites to strident oranges and purples. Sometimes a stark contrast to the recently ploughed fields of red earth which are waiting for the autumn seedings.

The colours blue and green: For one week I hope to take photographs with the colours blue and green in them. These flowers are at their best right now, revelling in the sunshine because the trees are not yet in full leaf.

I was surprised by my interest in these hot house dusky pinks, I walked right past the luscious vibrant tulips on display for the dutch week coming up. Chris and I were also taken with the wonderful varieties of leaf patterns of the maranta leuconeura family.

Along the edges of the lake were these argave plants and their spikes were just coming up, a lovely soft colour against the winter ones.

This plant is quite low at the moment, it sends up spikes of yellow flowers, a bit trumpet like, in wheels from the stem. I cannot recall what it's name is right now. Common name could be something like pizza flower? I'll let you know when I find out.

Clematis and Kowhai, just coming into their glorious own. This is a photo from the last time I went out to Whakatipu, it was a week day of drizzle and fine misty rain. No traffic, so I could pause to take a photograph whenever I wanted.

What a lift for the spirits, just enough blue sky to smile. Spring starts tomorrow.

The bush is filled with sounds of running water, little streams like this one appear after several days of rain, with blue skies they just vanish.

Stephanie and Emily this is for you. Do you remember? It is still alive and this year has produced five spikes with nothing more to live on than a casual glance as I went by.

Giant Bamboo, I estimate maybe 20cms in diameter, I would love to grow this at home but I would be foolish. So beautiful, elegant and the green against the blue sky so very exciting.

A clear blue sky winter high pressure system is over the North Island today.

A protected edge of the pond, in a tree covered valley at Brick Bay, near Mahurangi.